In a high-stakes clash between No. 24 Auburn and No. 11 Oklahoma in Norman a brutal missed call may have cost the Tigers the game.
The controversial play occurred on the Sooners' first touchdown. It appeared that Oklahoma was making a substitution, with wide receiver Isaiah Sategna III walking off the field. But he unexpectedly stayed on, went unnoticed by the Auburn defense, and was wide open for the touchdown.
Those seven points ended up being the difference maker in the Sooners' 24-17 victory, and the call ignited a firestorm of discourse throughout the college football world.
Late Saturday night, the SEC released a statement on social media, saying that an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty should have been called and the touchdown should have been called back.
Let's dive into the play to see where officiating went wrong.
What happened in Auburn vs Oklahoma?
With the game tied 3-3 and Oklahoma on the Auburn 23 yard line, Oklahoma receiver Isaiah Sategna looked like he was being subbed out of the game, but stayed in and was wide open for a touchdown.
'You cannot use the substitution process to deceive your opponent' - Matt Austin ESPN CFB Rules Analyst
— Patrick Greenfield (@PCGreenfield) September 20, 2025
Hugh Freeze livid after that Oklahoma touchdown. pic.twitter.com/wjTl4BAm3E
It looked like the Auburn defense thought he was coming out of the game, and coach Hugh Freeze showed his displeasure. According to rules analyst Matt Austin, the play should have been deemed illegal.
The Sooners took a 10-3 lead on the play. Freeze addressed it postgame when speaking with reporters.
Hugh Freeze said on Oklahoma’s first touchdown the refs didn’t hear them trying to call a timeout.
— Rosie Langello-Hodgens (@RosieLangello) September 20, 2025
“We were instructed all off-season about deception plays and things so we’ll see what’s said…I really don’t know what will be said about that.”
🎥: Auburn Athletics @wsfa12news https://t.co/F2v9lCLMjm pic.twitter.com/Fx2a9Wc55D
How did the SEC address the play?
The SEC took to social media to address the "deception play," saying that it was illegal and should have been called back.
SEC officiating admits to screwing up the "deception play" that gave Oklahoma a touchdown in the second quarter of the win over Auburn.
— Justin Hokanson (@_JHokanson) September 21, 2025
An unsportsmanlike penalty should have been called. Huge admission by the league officials. pic.twitter.com/u3oYV4DnJ0
According to the statement, "no simulated replacements or substitutions may be used to confuse opponents."
That is clearly what happened in Norman.
MORE: Oklahoma's defense makes history in win over Auburn
Auburn 2025 schedule
After a tough loss, the schedule does not get easier for the Tigers.
| Date | Opponent | Time |
| 9/27 | at No. 10 Texas A&M | 3:30 p.m. ET |
| 10/11 | vs No. 5 Georgia | TBD |
| 10/18 | vs No. 23 Missouri | TBD |
| 10/25 | at Arkansas | TBD |
| 11/1 | vs Kentucky | TBD |
| 11/8 | at No. 20 Vanderbilt | TBD |
| 11/22 | vs Mercer | 2:00 p.m. ET |
| 11/29 | vs No. 14 Alabama | TBD |
Oklahoma 2025 schedule
The Sooners advanced to 4-0 on the season, with two wins at home over ranked teams in No. 15 Michigan and No. 22 Auburn. Oklahoma has six games remaining against currently ranked opponents.
| Date | Opponent | Time |
| 10/4 | vs Kent State | 4:00 p.m. ET |
| 10/11 | vs No. 8 Texas | 3:30 p.m. ET |
| 10/18 | at South Carolina | TBD |
| 10/25 | vs No. 13 Ole Miss | TBD |
| 11/1 | at No. 15 Tennessee | TBD |
| 11/15 | at No. 14 Alabama | TBD |
| 11/22 | vs No. 23 Missouri | 12:00 p.m. ET |
| 11/29 | vs No. 3 LSU | TBD |
MORE: Curt Cignetti has Indiana primed for another playoff run